CPR/resuscitation is a very physical treatment of last resort, and usually results in significant further injury to the recipient. It is not a gentle process as often portrayed in TV medical dramas.

Losing someone dear to us is something we try not to think about, and there are very few people who have made any arrangements to avoid medical intervention when it had become pointless. Hospital staff see death on a regular basis, something which most of us are shielded from until a loved one - elderly or otherwise - becomes so unwell that drastic treatment is needed to keep them alive.
CPR itself can cause broken ribs, heavy bruising and damage to internal organs even if it is successful in restarting (possibly only temporarily) a heartbeat or breathing. It can be very difficult to recover from, especially for the frail or elderly.

Most people have seen 'CPR' carried out in films and TV programs, but there is no substitute for expert instructions, so check out the National Health Service advice pages here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/first-aid/cpr/

Better still a First Aid course would leave you much better prepared - many are available at local community centres etc.
St John's Ambulance offers training courses across the UK;
http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/training-courses.aspx

 

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Remember, 'Do Not Resuscitate' does NOT mean 'Do Not Treat'!
It is meant as an instruction to avoid pointless further suffering, when all other treatment options have been used or explored. It is not intended as a way to remove long-term or elderly patients from hospital beds when used as intended - to minimise suffering.

We would be interested to hear the circumstances in which you found out about a DNAR - good or bad - and also any other comments you have about resuscitation, end of life treatment and your hospital experience in general. Your personal details, names etc. will not be published - please just leave a comment anonymously here.

This is simply intended as a way to let you share your experiences - your contact details are not asked for, stored or passed on to anyone.